OCEAN DRAMA

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1936, Page 8

OCEAN DRAMA

KENT'S S.O.S.

ENGINES DISABLED. DRIFTING TOWARDS A REEF. SAVED SIX MILES AWAY. With her engines stopped and with a strong lee wind drifting her at the rate of two knots aiul a half towards the Mbenga Reef, in the Kandavu Passage, near Suva, the Federal Line steamer Kent narrowly escaped disaster last Thursday. The Kent was within six miles of the treacherous rocks when she again got under sufficient power to carry her to safety. First news of the dramatic incident was brought to Auckland yesterday by K.M.S. Aorangi, which, when at Suva, received an S.O.S. The Aorangi was preparing to i ush to the rescue of the Kent and some of the mooring ropes had been cast off when word was received that assistance was no longer required. Aorangi to the Rescue. The first appeal for help from the disabled vessel was received by the Suva radio station shortly before mid-day oil Thursday. The masters of the Aorangi, and of the Burns-Pliilp steamer, Malake, which was also berthed at Suva, were immediately advised by the authorities at Suva of the perilous position of the Kent. The Malake, a ship of small tonage, able to clear immediately, and was proceeding to tho scene of the mishap when the reassuring wireless message was received.

On the Aorangi the. drama of the situation was increased, as many of the passengers were still ashore and loading and unloading operations were in progress. Upon receipt of the appeal for help the master of the Aorangi, Captain T. V. Hill, gave orders for the ship to be got underway. Cargo operations were suspended immediately, and the forward lines had been cast off when the second message was received by the % ship's operator. Passengers' Fright. The sight of the Aorangi making hurried and unexpected preparations to put to sea caused commotion on shore. Some passengers, thinking the hour of. departure had been advanced, as the Aorangi was scheduled to sail about 5 p.m., rushed to the wharf. Many were on excursions about Suva, or 011 (shopping- expeditions, and had the vessel left would have had to remain ashore until such time as the ship returned from the rescue.

Wireless regulations do not ordinarily permit ships to transmit while in port, but this does not apply in emergency cases. As soon as the S.O.S. to the Suva station was known the Aorangi operator established direct contact with the Kent. The communication was maintained for about two hours in case the Kent might require assistance in any form.

At the time the first message was sent the Kent was two and a half hours' steaming distance from Suva. The messages sent to the Aorangi gave :io details of the cause of the breakdown. The Kent was proceeding from Suva to Port Chalmers, New Zealand, but was not sighted by the Aorangi that evening, as she was on a different course. The wireless operator of the Aorangi was again in communication yesterday with the Kent which was continuing her voyage to Port Chalmers. Personnel of Kent. The Kent, 8094 tons,'was bound 0:1 this voyage from London to New Zealand ports, via Plymouth, Curacao, Panama Canal and Suva. She carried no passengers and her voyage to Suva had been uneventful, states the Fiji "Times." Captain J. C. Tuckett is in command of .the Kent, and he has with him the following officers: —Chief, Mr. H. Horwood; second. Mr. J. Underwood; third, Mr. G. Mason; fourth, Mr. E. Hutchinson: chief engineer, Mr. J. W. Watkins; second, Mr. P. Tj. AVoodall; third Mr. G. Duckworth; fourth, Mr. J. P. Cochrane; fifth, Mr. B. P. Sunners; sixth Mr. W. Bryce; seventh, Mr. M. Donaldson; chief refrigerating engineer, Mr. IT. W. Bide; second, Mr. P. Parker; wireless operator, Mr. A. S. Crocker; steward in charge, Mr. J. Dean.